The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-03-08
The Japanese Acrobats.

On Tuesday evening last the Oura Com
pany of Japanese Acrobats gave its initial
entertainment to one of the largest houses
which has ever congregated at the Opera
House, Notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather. The previous high encomuims
of this company were fully maintained on
this appearance before Honolulu audience.
The opening piece was q tumbling act by
two small boys q and s years old and was
really wonderful to behold-the various
positions assumed by the lads would lead
one to suppose that they were composed of
India rubber, so supple we're they in their
movements. The cask trick was cleverly
executed by Ogawa; the balancing by Mash
hichi won the applause of the audience; the
ladder trick by Dankichi, was a feat seldom
Witnessed here or elsewhere-the ladder is
some twenty feet in height, supported by the
shoulder by one side only, and small boy
climbs up and after performing various evo-
lutions, kicks away one side and all the
rungs, leaving only apparently smooth pole
on which he slides down and then climbs up
with the agility of a Mickey, setting on the
top, and swinging out in a horizontal posi-
ton, meanwhile Donkichi, who holds the
ladder, thrums banjo; the top spinning was
we'll executed by Ogawa; the jar trick was
something wonderful, being very heavy and
capable of holding small boy inside, which
Donkichi balances on his feet, while lying
on his back, the boy coming out while sus-
pended. standing on it and other tricks and
afterwards crawling into the jar before the
trick is ended. The umbrella trick by Ginzo
"a boy of nine years. was dexterously done,
as was also the ball trick by the same lad;
the fountain trick by Masahici, excited the
admiration of the audience. The last act
was the double ladder trick by Donkichi and
two small bOys-the ladder was in the shape
of huge letter L with two small ladders
pendent from each end of the upper portion
and the whole balanced ON the shoulder of
the performer, while the two boys mounted
up and performed various evolutions on the
top and sides of the ladders. 1t is needless
to say that the various acts were received
with the greatest applause. and was wit
messed with the utmost attention throughout,
the audience retiring highly pleased with the
evenings entertainment.
On Thursday evening, notwithstanding the
stormy weather good audience greeted the
company. new programme of events was
presented. the most novel of which was the
tub trick. This consisted of a shallow tub,
about fifteen inches IL depth a diameter of
eight feet, which Donkichi handled with
ease, afterwards introducing two boys, one
of whom remained inside while the other
crawled up and on to the top outside, stand
ing on his head and other feets, both lads
leaving the tub successfully; the wire dance
by Ogawa was cleverly executed: the pyra-
mid trick by Masazo (eight years old) was
neatly done-this consisted of piling up a
number of small boxes in the form of q
pyramid and then placing himself on bis
bead on the top, and afterwards knocking
away the blocks singly before regaining his
feet-the lad was londlY applauded. The
single ladder trick concluded the entertain
ment.
On Saturday afternoon, the company gave
a matinee, which drew forth a large audi
ence, principally ladies and children, to wit
ness their acrobatic feats.
On Saturday evening, crowded house
greeted the company, and the entertainment
was of the same high character. with
change of programme. 1t is understood the
company will continue to exhibit during the
present week, and will probably sail for the
Coast on the steamer Australia Oh iNednes-
day, March 10th.